Swine Flu Vaccines

Swine Flu Vaccines

Swine Flu Vaccines

Swine Flu Vaccines

The swine influenza A (H1N1) virus has created a lot of hue and cry as it continues to take its toll on human lives across the globe. A vaccine to counter the disease became the need of the hour. Consequently, the Swiss Pharmaceutical Company Novartis AG produced the first batch of the swine flu vaccine in June 2009 at their plant in Marburg, Germany which was used for preclinical evaluation and testing.

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The clinical trials were conducted by The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at eight university research hospitals and medical organizations in the United States to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine. Five companies, namely Sanofi Pasteur, Novartis, GSK, Medimmune and CSL, are manufacturing the vaccine which were purchased by the federal government, and distributed to the doctors and healthcare providers through a centralized distribution system.

The FDA states that the 2009 H1N1 swine flu vaccine was manufactured using the same process that are used to manufacture seasonal flu vaccines. It does not contain new adjuvants or vaccine additives, and lays to rest any controversy associated with the new vaccine.

CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that swine flu vaccine should first go to pregnant women and household contacts and caregivers of children less than 6 months of age. It would then be made available to children and young adults from 6 months to 24 years of age, followed by older people who have a higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

The FDA approved vaccine will be available to doctors and clinics as an injection with and without the preservative thimerosal, and as a nasal spray from October 2009 onwards.

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Swine Flu Vaccines

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